Jo Frost does not agree with Madison Prewett‘s views on spanking as a form of child discipline.
In fact, the former Supernanny star believes it’s an “outdated practice.”
“It holds no benefit for the relationship of the child or for the parent,” Jo exclusively told E! News’ Francesca Amiker. “We have laws where it is a criminal offense to commit grievous bodily harm or to hit another adult, and to think that we can just bypass that with our youngest, most vulnerable citizens? They are human beings, too.”
The 55-year-old continued, “If we’re going to protect every human being, then we do so for children as well because they are citizens of this country.”
And for Jo, she thinks spanking “shows a lack of control” and “a lack of emotional regulation” on the parent’s part, adding, “Smacking should be banned in this country.”
In recent years, studies have advised against physical punishment for child discipline, including the National Library of Medicine’s research finding spanking “harmful” and “ineffective.”
However, according to Madison and her husband Grant Troutt, they plan on spanking their 6-month-old daughter Hosanna when she’s older for a more religious reason.
“Because the Bible so clearly says, ‘Folly is bound up in a child,'” Grant shared in a July episode of Madison’s Stay True podcast, paraphrasing Proverbs 22:15, “‘but discipline drives it far away.'”
Madison agreed and emphasized that the Bible specifically mentions “‘with a rod,’” though she clarified that she’ll discipline her daughter in a “really loving way.”
“Like, ‘Hey sweetheart, do you know why you’re being disciplined? Mommy does not want to discipline you. Mommy does not enjoy having to spank you,’” the Bachelor Nation star explained. “But there are consequences to disobedience.”
So, what can parents do to discipline their children without any physical harm? For Jo, who has partnered with FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) to advocate for kids with life-threatening allergies, it’s important to show “emotional intelligence” and “energetically connect with your child” through communication.
“Corporal punishment should be banned,” she said. “Children that receive that corporal punishment are those that have visible and invisible disabilities.”
